Pool & Spa Outdoor Blog

Tips for selecting patio furniture covers

Guest post by Lucy Markham

Outdoor waterproof patio covers are essential to extend the life of your outdoor furniture. Though you may feel comfortable leaving your patio furniture unprotected during the warmer months, the truth is that each season of the year poses a unique threat to your outdoor furniture. From the morning dew and insect pollination of spring, unpredictable showers and intense scorch of the sun during the summer, and the weight of falling leaves and snow during the colder seasons, your outdoor furniture should be covered when not in use.

When choosing a cover for your outdoor patio furniture, it’s important to understand the vital elements that make the cover strong enough to withstand the harsh weather in the coming months.

Here’s what to look for when choosing covers for your outdoor furniture:

Material

When looking for outdoor furniture covers, be sure to choose a strong and durable fabric that will withstand the elements of every season. A canvas material may be thick and lasting; however, if you live in an area that experiences heavy rain, a canvas cover may be susceptible to leakage and can cause detrimental water damage to your furniture. Another material used for furniture covers is a waterproof polyester blend. Although you may feel that you are saving money by investing in a less expensive fabric, cheap polyester becomes brittle in extreme temperatures and cracks, exposing your furniture to the elements.

For ultimate waterproof protection during each season, look for outdoor furniture covers made from multilayered and nonwoven fabrics. This material is extremely breathable while also being waterproof and providing optimal UV protection. Additionally, look for a material that is easy to clean and store, as you want to make sure that your investment will protect your patio furniture for several seasons to come.

Size

Just as it’s important to select the right material for the covers, it is equally important to be certain you have invested in the correct cover size. A majority of retail stores have samples available to give you a range of what is offered, and many manufacturers offer consulting in custom sizing. California-based Couverture, for example, keeps a library of patterns for hundreds of pieces of designer brand outdoor furniture and can also create a new pattern made from your measurements.

Before making any purchases, be sure to measure your furniture, especially the configuration of a table and chairs set where the size might vary considerably from what you’d expect. A cover that is too small will not provide adequate protection while a cover that is too big will have extra material that can sag or get picked up by the wind, allowing rain and debris to find its way in.

Special Features

To prevent the covers from blowing off of the furniture in high winds, look for covers that have attached straps that tie to the bottom of the furniture, so no matter how intense the storm is, your furniture will be protected.

Another new and innovative feature is from Duck Covers, who offers an inflatable dome to be placed under a patio table, chair, or couch to insure that debris and standing water don’t collect in the crevices of the furniture once covered. The domes allow water to easily slide off of the covers while also permitting air to circulate beneath them. This insures than mold and mildew will not accumulate underneath the covers during humid and rainy seasons.

Investing in quality outdoor furniture covers made from durable and waterproof materials will provide sustaining protection during each season and keep your outdoor furniture looking just as luxurious as when you first purchased it.

Lucy Markham is a graduate of the University of Florida in English and creative writing. As a recent homeowner, she considers herself a bit of an expert on home improvement and décor as she devoted countless hours to improving her new home.

Discover the Best Firepit Design for Your Backyard Landscape

Outdoor firepits add both sizzle and style to backyard living spaces and come in an array of shapes and materials to match any setting. Take a look at the 10 designs below to find the best firepit for your backyard setting and decor.

Copper gives this outdoor firepit unique character. Left untreated, the copper develops a patina which imparts an antique, Old World feel that is ideal for backyards with a rustic or Mediterranean theme. The metal’s shiny finish can also be easily maintained using a quality copper cleaner and polisher for a refined, contemporary look.

This wood-burning firepit’s square shape and Mission-Style design is a lovely complement to Modern and Transitional style homes and landscapes. This firepit can also lend a contemporary feel to southwestern and desert settings. The ceramic tiles surrounding the steel fire bowl have a dark, wood-like finish and provide an elegant accent.

Enjoy cozy conversation with friends and family around this attractive gas firepit table, which features an 11-inch surface area for resting drinks or snacks. The mosaic brown, green, blue, red, and yellow slate tiles adorning the firepit’s mantel provide an earthy feel and complement outdoor furniture with a Tuscan or Mediterranean theme.

Layers of faux stone surround the base of this full-size firepit table, making it a natural fit for any outdoor setting. The gorgeous black granite tabletop and clear fire glass add a touch of refinement to suit more contemporary patios.

Providing warmth, style, and function, this propane firepit table is the perfect gathering spot for backyard entertaining. The base of the firepit features an elegant wicker-like weave pattern, which merges well with the causal feel of tropical design themes. What’s more, its conventional shape and sophisticated color make it a great fit for traditional and contemporary style backyards.

Combining sophistication and comfort, this exquisite dining firepit table will become the centerpiece of any backyard patio. The circular marble tabletop offers versatile style appeal and can be outfitted with three different fire kits for a more customized look. Choose ceramic lava rocks (shown) for a look that’s both rustic and elegant, ceramic logs for a more traditional campfire feel, or clear glass or lava granules for a unique contemporary design.

A coffee table shape allows for more family and friends to gather around this lavish steel firepit, which houses two propane tanks inside its base for extra convenience. The gorgeous mosaic slate tabletop boasts a palette of neutral tones to fit any backyard setting and décor, including Tuscan, traditional, and contemporary designs.

This firepit table is a combination of classic elegance and lived-in comfort, making it the perfect addition to traditional backyards and décor. The base of the firepit is made from solid cast resin and features curved sides and a slate-like tabletop. The basket weave pattern on the sides of the base gives the impression of wicker and adds subtle texture to the design. Arctic flame glass enhances the fire’s allure and entices guests to stay a little while longer.

This stylish round firepit design is a sharp match for any backyard décor—from traditional to modern to tropical. It features a stone resin base in a wicker pattern and a granite tabletop. This firepit also serves double-duty as an elegant side table: just place the granite tabletop cover over the stainless steel burner.

Photo courtesy of R.H. Peterson Co.

Made from concrete reinforced with glass fiber, this ornate fire table is a great conversation piece. The intricate carving pattern and stately arches on the sides of the table provide a formal look to suit traditional and Italian landscape designs.